Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}

On Friday, November 13, Nest, a nonprofit organization that partners with designers to provide interest-free loans to women in developing countries, will launch a Seattle chapter, commenced through a launch party fundraiser at Design Within Reach, 1918 1st Ave. in downtown Seattle. The event will begin at 7:00 pm and will include wine, appetizers, a silent auction, and guilt-free shopping - featuring items made by both local designers and women artisans from around the world.

Nest empowers women in developing countries by helping them begin their own art or craft-based businesses through an innovative interest-free loan system the organization developed and dubbed as "microbartering." Similar to microfinance, which emerged in the early 1970s, microbartering has more flexible terms. All Nest loans are interest-free, and loan recipients may re-pay in product instead of cash - which Nest then sells on their website, www.buildanest.com. The website offers clothing, jewelry and housewares made by both loan recipients and U.S. designers. Nest circulates the website's proceeds back into the Nest community, providing additional women with loans that allow them to purchase the supplies, training, space or raw materials necessary to make a sustainable business out of their art or craft.

Nest currently works in seven countries including Guatemala, India, Israel, Mexico, Morocco, Tanzania and Turkey. In addition to loans, the organization provides financial counseling, business coaching and product development services.

Based in St. Louis, Nest has already expanded to 10 chapters in metropolitan areas including New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Washington D.C. Headed up by President Nichole Almond (an accountant at Johnson & Shute, P.S.), the Seattle chapter is actively seeking board members, volunteers and involvement from local designers.

The Seattle launch party fundraiser is open to the public, and will be held from 7:00 - 9:30 pm on Friday, November 13. Tickets are $20 in advance (visit www.buildanest.com/events.asp to purchase) or $25 at the door. The silent auction will feature items from designers and retailers including Kimberly Baker, Revival Home & Garden, and School of Visual Concepts. For more information, please visit www.buildanest.com or email Nest Seattle Board President Nichole Almond at seattle@buildanest.com.